Newtonian Mechanics, spectacular as it is in describing planetary motion and a wide range of other phenomena, only hints at the richness of behaviors seen in the universe. Special relativity has extended physics into the realm of high speeds and high energies and requires us to rethink our basic notions of space and time. Quantum mechanics successfully describes atoms, molecules, and solids while at the same time calling into question our notions of what can be predicted by a physical theory. Statistical physics reveals new behaviors that emerge when many particles are present in a system. This course will survey some of these important ideas, and can serve either as a terminal course for those seeking to complete a year of physics or can serve as the basis for more advanced study of these topics.

Class Format: lecture, three hours per week; laboratory, three hours every other week; conference, one hour every other week

Requirements/Evaluation: evaluation will be based on weekly homework, labs, two hour tests, and a final exam, all of which have a substantial quantitative component

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Prerequisites: Physics 141 and Mathematics 103, or equivalent; students may not take both Physics 142 and Physics 151; Physics 131 may substitute for Physics 141 with the permission of instructor